VOYAGE LEARNING CENTRE
Unit of Inquiry: How the World Works
Central Idea: Living things interact with their environment through specialized processes.
1. Tuning-In: Sparking Curiosity
Today “The Girl” discovered a thick green leaf while playing outside. She wondered aloud,
“Why is it sticky and so green?”
Her questions launched us into an inquiry about photosynthesis and transpiration. We documented every question on a thinking wall to honor her role as an Inquirer.
2. Finding-Out: Hands-On Exploration
Sensory Stations – Following IB’s emphasis on experiential learning, we rotated through three stations:
StationExperienceLearner-Profile Focus🔬 Microscope LabThe Girl sliced the central rib, placed it on a slide, and shouted, “I can see tiny green dots!” We identified them as chloroplasts.Knowledgeable – building disciplinary vocabulary✋ Tactile TableShe pressed the leaf, noticing the sticky sap. We linked the texture to the plant’s transport system.Thinker – connecting structure and function👃 Scent SpotRubbing the leaf released a fresh scent. She predicted the smell might attract insects.Communicator – expressing hypotheses
3. Sorting-Out: Making Meaning
Together we sketched a simple diagram showing:
CO₂ entering through stomata on the underside of the leaf
O₂ exiting during photosynthesis
Water vapor leaving via transpiration
The Girl colored chloroplasts bright green and labeled the “solar panels of the plant.” This visual literacy task integrated language & science.
4. Going-Further: Art Integration
During our Reflective Art Studio period, open-choice materials were offered: watercolor, collage, and clay. The Girl chose watercolor, painting swirling arrows to show gas exchange. Her artist statement read:
“Plants breathe opposite from us. My arrows are their breathing.”
This step fostered Creativity and reinforced conceptual understanding through the arts.
5. Reflection & Action
Student Reflection:
“If trees make oxygen, I should plant more trees at home.”
Teacher Reflection:
She demonstrated strong Curiosity and Persistence.
Next step: set up a transpiration bag experiment to quantify water loss.
Action Plan: Involve families in a weekend “Leaf Lab” take-home kit, encouraging sustained inquiry beyond the classroom.
Why This Matters in Our IB-Inspired Program
Transdisciplinary Learning: Science concepts blended seamlessly with language, math (measuring rib thickness), and the arts.
Learner-Profile Development: The Girl acted as an Inquirer, Thinker, Communicator, and Reflective young scientist.
Agency: Open-ended materials let her choose how to represent understanding, building ownership of learning.
🌟 At Voyage Child Learning Center we cultivate wonder through real-world investigations, empowering children to think, question, and act—exactly the spirit of the IB.
